Shell to Sea campaigners took part yesterday in a parade to mark Norway's national holiday.
About 150 Norwegian people based in Ireland celebrated Syttenda Mai (May 17th), which commemorates the signing of the country's constitution, with a parade from Trinity College to St Stephen's Green. They were addressed by the Norwegian ambassador, Truls Hanevold.
Norwegians based in Ireland were joined by Shell to Sea campaigners who have been advocating for years to have a proposed pipeline to take gas from the Corrib Gas Field moved off shore.
The Shell to Sea campaign claims that Norwegians will benefit more from the field than Irish taxpayers because Statoil, which has a 36.5 per cent stake in it, is state owned.
Micheál Ó Seighin, one of the Rossport Five, who joined the parade, said the terms of the licence granted to Statoil and their major partner, Shell, means it will bring no advantages to local people. "We want the Norwegian people to know that oil and gas comes at a price and it is we that are paying the price."
